Freshman Republican representative faces tough road to re-election in key 38th House District

Kentucky Democrats’ defensive strategy to keep control of the state House has started with going on offense against perceived vulnerable Republican incumbents.

And because Rep. Mike Nemes, a Louisville Republican finishing his first term, represents a normally reliably Democratic district, he’s at the top of the list.

Nemes out-worked Democratic incumbent Tim Firkins in the district made up of blue-collar neighborhoods between downtown Louisville and the Gene Snyder Expressway.

Democrats are betting heavily that first time candidate Denny Butler, a retired police sergeant and the son of the late former state Rep. Denver Butler, can deliver despite the fierce campaigning and moderate stances of Nemes.

Here’s a look at those candidates:

About Nick Storm

Nick Storm is the Anchor and Managing Editor of Pure Politics, the only nightly program dedicated to Kentucky politics. Nick covers all of the political heavyweights and his investigative work brings to light issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, like the connection between the high profile Steubenville, Ohio rape and a Kentucky hacker whose push for further investigation could put him in federal prison. Nick is also working on a feature length bio documentary Outlaw Poet: A documentary on Ron Whitehead. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickStorm_cn2. Nick can be reached at 502-792-1107 or nicholas.storm@twcnews.com.